Arguably, the single most important influence in determining the potential greatness of a Jiu Jitsu fighter is their instructor. The right coach can make or break an athlete. A good one will elevate an athlete beyond what they ever thought imaginable. The wrong one can cause a person to leave the sport forever. So what attributes does the perfect coach possess?

I’ve always enjoyed looking at bonsai trees, they truly are an amazing art form. Bonsai has been practiced for over 1000 years in Japan, and before that a similar practice called Penjing thrived in China at least as early as 600AD. The Japanese brought their own unique perspective to the practice though.

About 25 years ago I was stationed at the Cherry Point MCAS, on the coast of North Carolina. A few of us used to go down to the beach in Morehead City on a pretty regular basis, and it was there that I first got hooked on the beach culture lifestyle.

I was watching television one day in when I saw the Gracie Combatives commercial. I caught my attention and I called and ordered the DVDs. That was in September 2009. After that, BJJ became a major part of my life. I started training regularly at a local school the next January.

In a previous life, I taught computer aided design and manufacturing to high school students at a career and technical education school. Career and technical education, or CTE is the new and improved way to say vocational education. Historically, vocational eduction is thought of as training for a job like welder or plumber. A lot has changed recently in the world of CTE. Today there are a multitude of careers available to CTE students, and they can take courses and vocational training in hospitality, nursing, or graphic design.

In this segment Rick and Bill hit the road in search of a healthy cookie fix from their friend Nik Stevens at 13th Cookie in Portland, ME. Nik used to train BJJ before his MS got to the point where he just wasn't able to do it anymore. He got interested in making healthy foods and 13th cookies are all natural, organic, gluten free, kosher, soy free treats that taste anything but good for you!

BJJ Lifestyle and Opinion - Smelly Gis - Rick Rants

There’s no quicker way to poison a Jiu-Jitsu school or club than to bring in politics, religion, and external drama. Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu attracts people from all walks of life with views across all religious and political spectrums. And we all have problems like stress from work, financial struggles, and family dramas. But these things can’t be allowed to come into class.